
A King, and No King
by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher
- First published
- 1619
- Reading level
- Easy
- Price
- Free
About the book
"A King, and No King" by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher is a tragicomedy written in 1611. King Arbaces returns victorious from war, only to discover an overwhelming and forbidden attraction to his sister Panthea, whom he hasn't seen since childhood. As he struggles desperately against his incestuous passion, political intrigue and questions of royal legitimacy swirl around him. The play explores themes of self-control, identity, and the consequences of absolute power, while keeping audiences guessing until a surprising revelation changes everything.
- Tragicomedy
- Kings and rulers
- Political plays
Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #12312. A King, and No King on Wikipedia.
More free books by Francis Beaumont
About Francis BeaumontBeaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 08 of 10
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 10 of 10
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 06 of 10
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 07 of 10
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 05 of 10
Philaster
Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10
The False One
The Spanish Curate
The Mad Lover, a Tragi-Comedy
The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher in Ten Volumes











